Nader is an interesting a player. He was born in Egypt and eventually started a collegiate career at Northern Illinois. He transferred to Iowa State, where he played a big role on some good Cyclone teams but was drafted with one of the last picks in 2017. He was nearly twenty-three at the time, so perhaps there was some doubt he would develop much further.

Still, he managed to appear in nearly fifty games for Boston last season and he’s out-playing Nerlens Noel and Patrick Patterson of late. Nader could very well carve out a role for himself in a Thunder front court that lacks depth and shooting, which is what he can provide.

OKC’s poor offense hasn’t caught up to it yet but can Paul George continue to shoot as well as he has for the rest of the season? If not, the Thunder may hit a tipping point.

Neither Westbrook and Schroder are scoring efficiently from the field, an effective field goal percentage of about forty-six between them. That won’t get it done for a pair of guards that shoots it as much as they do.

If George slows down or, God forbid, were to get hurt, things could get rough for the Thunder. Until then, OKC fans better be appreciating PG.

Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard led Portland with twenty-five points in Tuesday’s come-from-behind, overtime victory in Sacramento but Jusuf Nurkic had the big day.

Nurkic led the NBA in game score on that particular night and, by the same metric, played his best game of the season with twenty-four points, twenty-three rebounds and seven assists.

The Bosnian Bear knocked down a career-high fourteen free throws to lead Portland to its second consecutive win ahead of five straight games at the Moda Center.

This is when Portland can make hay. The Blazers are 14–6 on the road, compared to just 8–10 on the road. They trail both the Thunder and Denver Nuggets, who lead the division, so a win against Oklahoma City to start things off would help build some confidence.

NBA Betting Trends:

Under is 20-8 in OKC last 28 road games.

OKC are 8-17-1 ATS in their last 26 Fri. games.

Under is 11-1 in POR last 12 vs. NBA Northwest.

POR are 29-13 ATS in their last 42 home games.

Under is 11-5 in POR last 16 home games.

Home team is 9-4 ATS in the last 13 meetings.

Free Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers NBA Prediction: Portland does a job on George and keeps the Thunder in check.

Portland’s offense should have an easier time getting to the free throw line at home so I’m taking the Blazers in a fairly low-scoring game.

4* Free NBA Betting Pick: PDX ATS.

NBA Free Score Prediction: OKC 99 – Portland 106

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